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Two New England Businesses Recognized by EPA for Climate Leadership

BOSTON – Two New England companies, The Hartford of Hartford, Conn., and Hasbro, Inc. of Pawtucket, R.I., have been recognized by EPA in the third annual Climate Leadership Awards.

EPA, in collaboration with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry, recently recognized 15 organizations and two individuals with awards for professionals addressing global climate change through policy, innovation and business solutions.

“The commitments and reductions made by The Hartford and Hasbro show the positive difference companies can make to reduce the greenhouse gases that are impacting our climate,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “We hope their example will inspire other companies to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to our environment.”

The Hartford received the “Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management – Goal Achievement Award,” which recognizes organizations that publicly report and verify corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and achieve aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals. The Hartford set a GHG emissions reduction goal of 20 percent by 2017, and in 2012 had an emissions reduction of over 27 percent, thereby meeting and exceeding its goal early. The Hartford met its goal by expanding its telework program, conducting a major building tuning exercise, and by implementing LED lighting technology. Additionally, the Hartford purchased 20,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of Green-e certified renewable energy.

“The Hartford strives to be a thoughtful and deliberate steward of the environment,” said Jay Bruns, vice president for public policy at The Hartford. “We are honored that the EPA has recognized The Hartford’s achievement of meeting its aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.”

Global branded play company Hasbro received the “Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management – Goal Setting Certificate,” which recognizes organizations that publicly report and verify corporate GHG inventories and set aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals. Hasbro established a GHG goal to reduce total emissions and GHG intensity (emissions per square foot) by 20 percent by 2020 from a 2012 base year. They plan to accomplish this through replacing existing roof insulation with more energy efficient materials, making HVAC upgrades and replacements, converting from fuel oil to natural gas, and replacing hydraulic molding machines with electric machines. This is Hasbro’s third public GHG reduction goal and they have previously achieved a 43 percent from 2000 to 2007 for their U.S. operations, and a 32 percent from 2008 to 2012 for their global operations. Both prior goals were established through the EPA’s former Climate Leaders program.

"We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the U.S. EPA and its partner organizations," said Duncan Billing, EVP and global chief development officer at Hasbro. "This award is a testament to Hasbro’s commitment to continuously reduce the environmental impacts of our global operations as well as our 2020 sustainability goals which build upon our previous achievements and serve to guide us forward.”

The two New England companies, along with other awardees, were honored for exemplary corporate, organizational and individual leadership in reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change. Award recipients represent a wide array of industries, including finance, manufacturing, retail, technology, higher education and local government. Recipients have demonstrated leadership in managing and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in internal operations and throughout the supply chain, as well as integrating climate resilience into their operating strategies.